The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

I currently have T12's that I installed about 8 years ago. 3 or 4 ballasts have died, the rest either buzz or hum, and some bulbs have gotten dim. Figured it's time for an upgrade.

Right now, I have 16 fixtures, with two 4' bulbs in each one. I plan to add about 8 more fixtures to finish off the garage. My garage ceiling is 10'-6".

T5HO's seem to be the brightest as I checked out the display at HD.
But HD doesn't seem to carry 10 packs of T5HO (High output) bulbs, only individual bulbs at $10 each!

The display at HD claims that T5 is 15% more efficient than T8, and 35% more efficient than T12.

I've read some stories over on the garage journal forum and people seem to think the T8's are bright enough (almost blinding according to one guy), but those who went straight to T5HO's love those too! Other posts claim that T5 costs about 2.5 times more than T8, but isn't 2.5 brighter.

I never read a story of someone going from T8 to T5 and heard if it was worth the switch or not.

Wish list:
1. Very bright
2. No buzzing or humming
3. Efficiency


Who has T8's in their garage?
Who has T5's in their garage?

I'm torn if going T5HO is really worth the extra money. Thoughts?

arcticracer

I just installed some t5 fixtures in a high bay garage. 6) 6 bulb fixtures turned it into a very bright shop 30x80x16 foot ceiling. I will also be retrofitting my smaller garage to t8's soon as I don't think it is worth the expense for t5 on anything lower than 12'. You can retrofit your existing t12 fixtures for t8 pretty cheap as well.

MrGone

iTrader: (30)

There are two different types, there are T5 and T5HO.

Personally I tend to use T12 because I have entirely too many bulbs laying around and the fixtures work fine but I tend to replace old fixtures with T8 because they are inexpensive. I use fluorescent tubes as a secondary light source and six metal halides as a primary. If I only had tubes and limited space I'd put more weight into the additional brightness of the T5HO.

I'd go with T8 for now, in a couple years I'm sure you will see an increase in LED based fixtures which will destroy T5HO.

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Thanks arcticracer and MrGone. More than likely, I will go with T8's based on your input.

Kenjiro

The last time I replaced ballasts, I was surprised how much smaller and less expensive they've become (~$25 at Home Depot). The wiring was different than my old ones, but they're quiet and are working fine. Modern technology I guess.

krismax

iTrader: (15)

i don't want alot of lights ,i have no wires run yet but gonna get 2 of these for my 2 car garage . that i just use as a work garage. Think 22,400 lumins is enough?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-...L-MV/203812710

MrGone

iTrader: (30)

Costco has fein led fixtures $20 for 4' housings.

maxud

got couple of those for my garage, like them alot!

krismax

iTrader: (15)

looked on their website ,didn't see them.

Do not have a store around me.

maxud

https://www.costco.com/4%e2%80%99-Li...100284402.html

the price was slightly cheaper in the store iirc, due to some sort of savings.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

We converted all the Hangar lights to LED so I have several T8 fluorescent light fixtures that are getting trashed so I'm bringing them to my Home for use in my garage....

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

I had T12 and a few T8. Then some LED retrofit T8 bulbs. Some performed OK but generally the T12 stuff was a waste. Winter time was hard on them. Sometimes the LEDs wouldn't light and those are cold weather fixtures. The T12 buzzed and flickered.

I just redid my lights with new LED fixtures. Commercial Electric 3 foot long, 2 light, 45 watt, 4500 lumen, 4000k. $23 each or $20.50 in a 6 pack. They worked perfectly in freezing temps. I hope they last. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...0-HD/306380611

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

My original post was back in 2013. I finally got around to purchasing and installing lighting in the 2,000sqft detached garage, in addition to the 660sqft 3 car garage attached to the house. I bought and installed the lights at the end of 2017. At that time, I compared LED to T8 and T5 with respect to lumen output. LED's just couldn't keep up, lumen wise to T8's or T5's. Plus, once a LED bulb goes bad, you gotta replace the whole assembly. And lastly, you can't change your mind with regards to the Kelvin rating since the LED bulb is unchangeable. Based on lumen output, I ultimately chose T8's since they were noticeably brighter than LED. I chose a Kelvin rating of 4k, similar to bright white.

Not sure if LED's have improved lumen wise over the last few years, and if the bulbs are replaceable, and if there is a choice of Kelvin rating yet. Would love to hear your guy's input.

T12's are garbage, had those at my last house, nothing but buzzing and flickering issues like Jsutter pointed out. Never again.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Yeah got a set for me at the house and another for a fellow orger! I've got a box with all the T-8 bulbs, I'll be bringing home this week and man I can't wait to see how much more light my garage will have! Wizard I wish I had an extra detached garage in my backyard! My wife would never see me!!!

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

1. Hang my T8 lights more than 6 months ago and I have another 8 ft light assembly I'm going to install in the garage and It'll be lit to the max!
2. Last year I spent a lot of money on aircraft special tools and even trying to fab some myself to make the job easier! I love finding new ways to utilize these special torque adapters on things they weren't intended to be used for but they work perfectly!
3. Installed my shadowing in my Main Shop toolbox and my portable toolbox, but I'm thinking of upgrading to a 72" x 30" Gatorbuilt toolbox this year.